Should I Buy a Food Processor or an Immersion Blender?

Q: I'm a college student on a budget with limited storage space. I'd like to have a blender or food processor for making smoothies and since many recipes call for a food processor. Is it better to buy an immersion blender or a 3-cup food processor?

Sent by Audrey

Editor: For making super-smooth soups, smoothies, and sauces, I've found that I actually prefer the immersion blender over the food processor. The immersion blender can handle most frozen fruits, though I've found it does best if larger fruits (like whole frozen strawberries) can be chopped into smaller bits.

Emma is the recipe editor for The Kitchn and a graduate of the Cambridge School for Culinary Arts. She is the author of True Brews and Brew Better Beer (Spring 2015). Check out her personal blog for more cooking stories.